News for today's 2018: 06/18/12

RUSSIA, CHINA, IRAN PLAN TO STAGE IN SYRIA “BIGGEST MID EAST MANEUVER”

8:31 PM Tukiyooo 0

<br /><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; mso-outline-level: 1;"><b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-font-kerning: 18.0pt;"><br /></span></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEtIt6vim3mFHkGuk7XYzFA_eT5BesFFlUqBZ9Ks1DS806UjuZbeDYMlsGC-_7PPJM3PDqUR7B6uQIyI3nDMJGhwPCd2WXcg-FcSI-5ICDeJcBAkTidMY6iwzEGpdHxYQKVYwagsriT3gm/s1600/172654916.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="221" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEtIt6vim3mFHkGuk7XYzFA_eT5BesFFlUqBZ9Ks1DS806UjuZbeDYMlsGC-_7PPJM3PDqUR7B6uQIyI3nDMJGhwPCd2WXcg-FcSI-5ICDeJcBAkTidMY6iwzEGpdHxYQKVYwagsriT3gm/s400/172654916.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><br /><i></i> </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="color: blue; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">SABRE RATTLING OR COUNTER TACTICS?</span></b></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;"><b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"></span></b><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">Via DEBKA<i>file</i></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><i> </i></span><b style="color: red;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; line-height: 115%;">MIDDLE EAST MILITARY TENSIONS AROUND SYRIA</span></b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; line-height: 115%;"> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"></span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">shot up again Monday, June 18, with the news reported by the semi-official IRANIAN news agency Fars that a joint RUSSIAN-CHINESE-IRANIAN exercise is to take place in SYRIA.</span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">It was described as “the biggest of its kind ever staged in the MIDDLE EAST” with 90,000 personnel, 400 air planes and 900 tanks taking part.<br />As part of its preparations, Beijing is reported to have asked Egyptian authorities to permit the passage through the SUEZ CANAL in late June of 12 naval ships heading for the Syrian port of Tartus, where Moscow maintains a naval and marine base. debkafile reported earlier this week that RUSSIAN naval vessels with marines on board were heading for Tartus. The IRANIAN media did not itemize their contribution to the joint exercise.</span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="color: red; line-height: normal; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">OBSTRUCTING US-EUROPEAN-ARAB MILITARY INTERVENTION IN SYRIA</span></b></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-align: justify;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLL74QLchhu9erluq5F2cdzim4Nr3uvf8cdCZqVZea7viAJ1fFaBI8OeteiAHCaWHkWFS8wQdLJZzvLMTuW2Y2aYggsQfoS7o1e-uVeqk38IjmXdpfCUbbjP05ttVcnFJ9tsxIS8-c8qvt/s1600/Russia-China-oppose-military-intervention-in-MidEast.jpeg.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="281" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLL74QLchhu9erluq5F2cdzim4Nr3uvf8cdCZqVZea7viAJ1fFaBI8OeteiAHCaWHkWFS8wQdLJZzvLMTuW2Y2aYggsQfoS7o1e-uVeqk38IjmXdpfCUbbjP05ttVcnFJ9tsxIS8-c8qvt/s320/Russia-China-oppose-military-intervention-in-MidEast.jpeg.jpg" width="320" /></a><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">debkafile stresses that this would be the first time that substantial RUSSIAN and CHINESE military strength has ever been deployed in SYRIA or anywhere else in the MIDDLE EAST. It means that the two powers are prepared to parade their unabashed partnership with the IRANIAN and SYRIAN armies for the shared purpose of obstructing US-EUROPEAN-ARAB military intervention in SYRIA. A large-scale RUSSIAN and CHINESE military presence in the embattled country would expect to deter the UNITED STATES from leading a military operation against Bashar Assad and his regime.</span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><br />No date was attached to the report but the exercise may possibly take place before the end of the month</span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">The large-scale maneuver was announced in Tehran on the first day of the nuclear crisis talks in Moscow between IRAN and the six world powers, their third attempt to resolve the crisis by diplomacy. However, RUSSIAN and IRANIAN sources close to the talks were pessimistic about progress. An IRANIAN delegation member complained the atmosphere was harsh and unconstructive. A RUSSIAN source saw no way of bridging US-led WESTERN differences with Tehran when the parties reconvene Monday.<br />debkafile also notes that the big joint RUSSIAN-CHINESE-IRANIAN exercise “at sea, air and land on SYRIAN soil,” was released for publication shortly before US President Barack Obama was due to meet Russian President Vladimir Putin at the G-20 summit in MEXICO.</span></span></div>

RUSSIA, CHINA, IRAN PLAN TO STAGE IN SYRIA “BIGGEST MID EAST MANEUVER”

SABRE RATTLING OR COUNTER TACTICS? Via DEBKA file MIDDLE EAST MILITARY TENSIONS AROUND SYRIA shot up again Monday, June 18, with the ne...

Nachdenken über Syrien

6:33 PM Tukiyooo 0

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi97nb7xRlQqnxr-gKLQn18uMd8Yi3heKf55arYl-L4eDcqJoBZ0vkw-pfntcL_FIDVmnULe5EfpvcrjA16DoKtA5Aq7NMbJ3byoTL6p6FM5ZjOWsX6x_bgpYH66DdlKtewbTfMkDG_MEx_/s1600/palmyra--tadmur---syria_771.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="285" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi97nb7xRlQqnxr-gKLQn18uMd8Yi3heKf55arYl-L4eDcqJoBZ0vkw-pfntcL_FIDVmnULe5EfpvcrjA16DoKtA5Aq7NMbJ3byoTL6p6FM5ZjOWsX6x_bgpYH66DdlKtewbTfMkDG_MEx_/s400/palmyra--tadmur---syria_771.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><h1 style="color: blue; text-align: center;"> <span style="font-size: x-large;"> Wieder mal ist Krieg im Nahen Osten.  </span></h1><div class="excerpt"><span style="font-size: small;">via The European </span></div><div class="excerpt"><span style="font-size: small;">von Alexander Wallasch</span></div><div class="excerpt"><br /></div><div class="excerpt" style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Wieder mal können wir nicht  glauben, was wir sehen. Weil wir wissen, dass der Augenschein nicht die  Wahrheit sein muss – und unsere Medien versagen.  </span></div><div class="image" style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>              </div><div style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Wer erinnert sich nicht? 2003 hatte Colin Powell in seinem  liederlichen Auftritt vor dem UN-Sicherheitsrat, einem der höchsten  weltlichen Gremien, erklärt: ja, im Irak gibt es  Massenvernichtungswaffen. Und damit einen Krieg und eine Kettenreaktion  ausgelöst, die bis heute anhält. Die aktuell in Syrien angekommen ist.  Und die aller Wahrscheinlichkeit nach Damaskus in eine dieser Höllen aus  Blut, Bomben und Elend verwandeln wird.</span></div><div style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Längst weiß jeder: rückwirkend hat sich diese Powell’sche Wahrheit  als „Verschwörungstheorie“ herausgestellt. Genauer als Verschwörung,  denn was sich als Lüge herausgestellt hat, das kann ja keine Theorie  mehr sein. Nur was ist nach Powell noch ein Beweis und was nicht? Ein  großes Dilemma. Und es wurde zur mächtigen Zäsur. Powells Lüge ist zum  Sündenfall geworden. Zur Werte-Kernschmelze.</span></div><div style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Jahre später sprach Powell in der „FAZ“ christlich-demütig, oder  heuchlerisch – wie man mag – vom Schandfleck seiner Karriere. Und dass  er „enorm enttäuscht“ wurde. Das ist seltsam. Denn „getäuscht“ wäre das  treffendere Wort gewesen, wenn er, wie er sagt, nicht im Bilde war. Aber  dann hätte er noch dringender benennen müssen, was seine persönliche  Schuld war.</span></div><div style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Die „Bush-Administration“ (längst Synonym für etwas sehr, sehr  Schmutziges) hat der Weltgemeinschaft – die zu retten sie offiziell mit  dieser „Neuen Weltordnung“ angetreten war – einen Bärendienst erwiesen.  Denn wenn die Wahrheit keine mehr ist, ist auch ihr Gegenpart, die  Verschwörungstheorie, als solche wieder ergebnisoffen. Die positive  Seite: Nicht jede geäußerte Wahrheit kann jetzt noch zur  Verschwörungstheorie runtervergewaltigt werden. Klar, der Vorwurf  „Verschwörungstheoretiker“ greift zwar noch, aber seine inflationäre  Nutzung weist darauf hin, dass er als perfekte  Massenmeinungsvernichtungswaffe zum Auslaufmodell geworden ist.</span></div><h6 style="color: red; font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"> <span style="font-size: large;">Wenn wir über Syrien nachdenken, ist das die Vorgeschichte</span></h6><div style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Gewissermaßen der unheilvolle Nährboden oder unangenehm  amerikanischer ausgedrückt: die Saat des Bösen. W. Bushs „Neue  Weltordnung“ hat tatsächlich eine noch viel schlimmere Verwüstung  angerichtet als nur die Kriegshandlungen zur Diktatorenbeseitigung. Mit  der Unauffindbarkeit von Massenvernichtungswaffen im Irak ist ein großer  breiter Damm aus Diplomatie und diplomatischer Lüge einfach  weggebrochen. Dass Assange mit allen Mitteln gestoppt werden musste, ist  völlig klar. Er war der Brandbeschleuniger mit dem Wahrheitskerosin.</span></div><div style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">In Kombination mit einem rapide verödenden Schwarmgedächtnis sind  internationale Umgangsformen, sind lange Zeit als unverrückbar geltende  Werte verloren gegangen. Werte, die vor dem Zusammenbruch der  Ost-West-Blöcke zumindest für den kapitalistischen Westen, für den <span class="caps">NATO</span>-Einflussbereich  in Stein gemeißelt schienen wie die zehn Gebote. Klar, diese weltlichen  Gesetzestafeln existieren immer noch. Aber sie werden heute von ihren  ehemaligen Gralshütern schlechter behandelt als die verwitterten  Preisanschläge der Hurenhäuser in Pompeji.</span></div><div style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Irak, Afghanistan, Ägypten, Tunesien, Libyen, nun Syrien. Genug ist  genug. Ja, die 1950er- bis 1980er-Jahre mit ihrem US- und  Sowjet-Imperialismus in Lateinamerika, auf Kuba, in Indochina, in Afrika  usw. – im Westen alles gedeckelt unter der größten aller Ängste: der  roten Gefahr. Aber auch die damals unumstößlichen Wahrheiten platzen nun  unter der blutroten Sonne Syriens. Alles drängt wieder hoch. So war es  während der Libyen-Eroberung und so ist es erneut. Inflation auf dem  Weltwahrheitsmarkt und ihren Mediensprachrohren.</span></div><h6 style="color: red; font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"> <span style="font-size: large;">Versagen der Nachrichter im Syrien-Konflikt</span></h6><div style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">So werden „Tagesschau“ und „heute“ zu blöd-dreisten  Verdummungsveranstaltungen. Hat man sich längst arrangiert mit der  Groteske? Also reden wir vom Versagen der Nachrichter im  Syrien-Konflikt. Wie selbstverständlich suchen wir heute die  tatsächliche hinter der eigentlichen Nachricht. Ein Automatismus. Ein  verdammtes scheiß Suchspiel! Sekundiert und manchmal noch persifliert in  Talk-Shows, wo dann doch mal einem der eingeladenen Komparsen der  Kragen platzt, bevor er von der Moderation runtergebügelt werden kann.  Noch knapp im Vorteil sind da greise Weise wie Scholl-Latour oder  Unantastbare aus anderen Kulturkreisen. Also solche, die ein Stück weit  nach eigenen Regeln spielen bzw. die Regeln nicht beherrschen oder  akzeptieren.</span></div><div style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Und dann sind da die Auslands-Korrespondenten. Niemandem scheint  bisher aufgefallen zu sein, dass die „Live-Schalte“ – als ehemals fester  Bestandteil deutscher Nachrichtensendungen – quasi zum Erliegen  gekommen ist. Einer wie dieser Jörg Armbruster wird vorher  aufgezeichnet. Bequemlichkeit? Denkfaulheit? Egal – jedenfalls wird so  aus einer unbequemen Momentaufnahme direkt und live vom Ort des  Geschehens ein aufgezeichnetes und von einem Telefongespräch untermaltes  YouTube-Filmchen in erbärmlicher Qualität und erbärmlicher Beweiskraft.  Oder ein Porträtfoto-Interview mit den nächtlichen Autolichtern einer  Kreuzung mit beleuchtetem Minarett im Hintergrund. Das kennt jeder.</span></div><div style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Ein angeschwitzter Armbruster mit zerzaustem Haar schaut gekonnt  übermüdet und emotional angeschlagen in die Kamera, als käme er direkt  aus dem Schützengraben: Wieder 30 Tote in Syrien. Nach Meldung der  Rebellen. Und Assad hat Kinder als menschliche Schutzschilde auf Panzer  der Regierungstruppen setzen lassen, um „angreifende Soldaten“ – dann  verbessert Armbruster sich und sagt „Freischärler“ – der „Freien  Syrischen Armee“ daran zu hindern, diese Panzer zu beschießen. Und so  weiter. Ich warte auf den Moment, wenn der Teleprompter bereits  abgelesen ist. Wenn doch noch ein Stück Redlichkeit, ein bisschen  Scholl-Latour aus dem armen Armbruster hochschießt. Dieser Moment  Wahrheit, der es am Schnittraum vorbei geschafft hat. Ein Satz, der  relativiert, also aus einer dieser im vorauseilenden Gehorsam  gestreamten Konsensmeldung, aus der Verlautbarung eine echte Nachricht  macht. Armbruster im Nachfassen: Auch die „Freie Syrische Armee“  missbraucht laut UN-Bericht Kinder zu militärischen Zwecken. Wumms.</span></div><div style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Oder doch nicht wumms? Wer kennt die Wahrheit? Vielleicht niemand  mehr in ihrer Gesamtkomplexität. Oder kann es sein, dass die heutigen  Medien und die extreme Diversifikation von Informationen – und das quasi  in Echtzeit – das Individuum vielmehr in die Lage versetzen, ein  eigenes Bild zu formen? Und entsteht dadurch lediglich der Eindruck,  alles sei schlimmer geworden? Stimmt am Ende die These, dass es immer  schon so schlimm war, dass es sich früher nur nicht so einfach  dechiffrieren ließ? War die Manipulation aufgrund ihrer  Einkanalkommunikation „nur durch die ,Tagesschau‘“ einfach nur einfacher  und somit perfekter?</span></div><h6 style="color: red; font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"> <span style="font-size: large;">Die trübe Brühe der Gesinnungspolitik</span></h6><div style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Was nun? Einfach zu kompliziert ist es da, wo man Klarheit wünscht.  Weil man behandelt werden möchte, als litte man an Gedächtnisverlust. An  Amnesie. Verständnislosigkeit ist die neueste Form schweinischer  Hypochondrie. Schweinisch, weil sie Menschenleben kostet. Weil es nicht  viel Mühe macht, zu erinnern, oder mindestens zu recherchieren, dass die  US-Regierung und ihre Dienste schon vor Jahren angefangen haben, eine  syrische Opposition mit Millionen Dollar aufzubauen. Weil man weiß, dass  unter Billigung und Anweisung der US-amerikanische Regierung unter dem  schmutzigen Banner der „Demokratie“ seit 9/11 ganz offensichtlich ein  Kreuzzug geführt wird. Ja, aber gegen wen eigentlich? Die Interessenlage  ist so vielfältig, dass auch das dem Fokus einer allgemeingültigen  Wahrheit entrückt ist. Lässt es sich besser auf, wenn man sich nach den  unterschiedlichen Interessenlagen im Vorfeld erkundigt? Öl, strategische  oder/und religiöse Positionen. Da werden Koalitionen geschmiedet und  gewechselt wie die Weiber beim Gangbang im Provinzpuff. Russland,  Brasilien, China. <span class="caps">USA</span>, Katar, Saudi-Arabien. Jeder kocht sein eigenes Süppchen. Die trübe Brühe der Gesinnungspolitik.</span></div><div style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Die kleine schmutzige Hure Demokratie, von der schon Plato sagte:  „Wer in der Demokratie die Wahrheit sagt, wird von der Masse getötet.“</span></div><div style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Die ehemaligen Vasallen rund um die Ölfelder und im Dunstkreis  Israels werden nun also Schlag auf Schlag enthauptet und die Region  komplett destabilisiert. Diese Destabilisierung ist nicht der notwendige  Übergang, sondern das eigentliche Ziel der wie nebenbei dann  Menschenmassen vernichtenden konstatierten Aktionen. Wann sind syrische  Bürger Rebellen und wann werden Wohnhäuser bombardiert und wann sind es  bereits hochgerüstete Rebellenhochburgen? Wann versucht eine wie auch  immer geartete Assad-Regierung, den relativen Frieden im Land gegen  Aufständische zu verteidigen und wann werden aus Aufständischen legitime  neue Ansprechpartner?</span></div><h6 style="color: red; font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"> <span style="font-size: large;">Ein gigantisch obszönes Geschäft</span></h6><div style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Fakt ist bisher, dass in diesen Krisenregionen auch später kein  Nährboden für europäische Demokratie vorhanden zu sein scheint. Das kann  religiöse Ursachen, aber auch mit Stammesverhältnissen und ihren  traditionellen bis ins Religiöse hineinreichenden Machtansprüchen zu tun  haben.</span></div><div style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Das wussten die Rebellenunterstützer. Und man wusste es schon, als  das State Department bereits ab 2006 „mindestens sechs Millionen Dollar  an syrische Oppositionsgruppen“ zahlte, wie die „Washington Post“  berichtete. Nach dem Zeitungsbericht soll das sogar Teil einer lang  angelegten Kampagne sein, um Assad zu stürzen. Was berechtigt nun also  das Massensterben, wenn der Wunsch nach Demokratie nicht die erste  Triebfeder gewesen sein kann? Denn die rasch fallenden Diktaturen in  Nordafrika scheinen ja bereits zu beweisen, dass nicht die Demokratie,  sondern Destabilisierung erste Option ist.</span></div><div style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Zwischen den Teleprompternachrichten schimmert es brutal durch: Es  geht um die Chance der Neuverteilung von Macht und Einfluss. Früher  ebneten Geheimdienste erst den GI’s, dann den Profiteuren den Weg. Man  nannte das Imperialismus. Heute spart man sich immer öfter dieses  komplizierte, kostenintensive Prozedere. Solange die einheimischen neuen  Hoffnungsträger noch voller Hoffnung auf Partizipation an der  Umverteilung sind, ist das auch nicht nötig. Ein gigantisches gigantisch  obszönes Geschäft. </span></div><span style="font-size: large;">               <a href="http://www.theeuropean.de/alexander-wallasch" title="Alexander Wallasch"></a></span>

Nachdenken über Syrien

Wieder mal ist Krieg im Nahen Osten. via The European von Alexander Wallasch Wieder mal können wir nicht glauben, was wir sehen. Weil ...

I Now Pronounce You....

5:29 PM Tukiyooo 0

I'm back mon, and I'm now a Mrs!<br /><br />On Thursday, June 7, Joel and I left our condo in the wee hours of the morning to make the hour drive to Baltimore-Washington International airport.  While I was armed with Ativan, Joel decided to be brave and forgo the meds.  We boarded the plane with nervous anticipation of what was to come, both with the plane ride as well as our upcoming nuptials only two days away.  After a smooth 3 hour flight, we touched down in Montego Bay, Jamaica, cruising in with a view of crystal clear blue waters.  I was in immediate awe.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjB97S6QYdCcagaJz4XxXn1tNjqihC28PflTTebCN8TAfJPP1gHt52qhHTAEUoIce8A5_XANruYY5DeHiuqW5EGbrcDKqx_B9E-o2DpH4o-47_JNTjlWvF_oV01kxcW2ipz9nBMO5OnNlw/s1600/Jamaica+2012+001.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjB97S6QYdCcagaJz4XxXn1tNjqihC28PflTTebCN8TAfJPP1gHt52qhHTAEUoIce8A5_XANruYY5DeHiuqW5EGbrcDKqx_B9E-o2DpH4o-47_JNTjlWvF_oV01kxcW2ipz9nBMO5OnNlw/s400/Jamaica+2012+001.JPG" width="266" /></a></div><br />As my cousin forewarned, we were treated like celebrities as soon as we made our way through Jamaican Customs.  Sandals had a special room at the airport for their arriving guests where we could enjoy a beverage and relax as we awaited our transportation to the resort.   Once we got to the resort, however, our room wasn't ready, so we were escorted to the beach to enjoy a late lunch.  It didn't take us long to indulge in the "free" drinks. <br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-CM3UZd9qQDnx-LljvWwYuq1soCH0O27aoOY4qYTmNDQHS0bGPB-eXuA1KuuW2IjXxhn62e8SRSR9kdtkOQ52ImiDwiaDqt0cmqWgLI0YY80-fmsdMitamdEeUTM_VdsCUbxcZcp5vak/s1600/Jamaica+2012+007.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-CM3UZd9qQDnx-LljvWwYuq1soCH0O27aoOY4qYTmNDQHS0bGPB-eXuA1KuuW2IjXxhn62e8SRSR9kdtkOQ52ImiDwiaDqt0cmqWgLI0YY80-fmsdMitamdEeUTM_VdsCUbxcZcp5vak/s400/Jamaica+2012+007.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><br />I am sipping on a Jamaican smile, which tasted like strawberries and bananas with a subtle undertone of coconut rum.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBLG43s4NrSx-cHrruOsnNkX75XmAVlyq8eksYQEgsYKw2xEDPzyri7ihVO8RZVzi3oXPgVJhVHbcReCowbo8qnO1oQWdkX0fp-JrXnDUVts6Lq7MlwJQv1ZelUMlQeE_UwVH8gYBD0dc/s1600/jamaica+smile.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBLG43s4NrSx-cHrruOsnNkX75XmAVlyq8eksYQEgsYKw2xEDPzyri7ihVO8RZVzi3oXPgVJhVHbcReCowbo8qnO1oQWdkX0fp-JrXnDUVts6Lq7MlwJQv1ZelUMlQeE_UwVH8gYBD0dc/s400/jamaica+smile.jpg" width="267" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTcJMadZgkrzhaPVZifDFb4hFlqLyxP6WmwFSJvodfN5rt5JccKdtFVeabPw9z99ehdR0DQib9r9_bsLyMPnQ7sX_s-JPu_7ssi0VHhzQNe9vGM59GJ2cmCs4YdbhUH3zyqST3HoW-1iM/s1600/Jamaica+2012+012.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTcJMadZgkrzhaPVZifDFb4hFlqLyxP6WmwFSJvodfN5rt5JccKdtFVeabPw9z99ehdR0DQib9r9_bsLyMPnQ7sX_s-JPu_7ssi0VHhzQNe9vGM59GJ2cmCs4YdbhUH3zyqST3HoW-1iM/s400/Jamaica+2012+012.JPG" width="266" /></a></div>As anyone trying to watch their weight, an all-inclusive resort can induce anxiety rather quickly for us.  However, by day 3 of our 7 day WeddingMoon, we were so over the sugary drink mixes.  And believe it or not, I didn't gain a single pound on this trip!  I'm sure the two days of working out helped a little :). <br /><br />Still, our first day was nothing short of perfect!  Once our room was ready, we quickly changed into our bathing suits and hit the beach for the rest of the day.  And I immediately sunk my eyes into Fifty Shades of Grey!  Joel sunk his eyes into something else...<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzEvymTTJ9eeHlSG3-3oY4Au9RPCEvFgdoGe0h7KK_wfMlW8bdZXjUUQsTdYEM26EmX2zzfZc5KExaShQ_SuUFXpU3F2boenB1CIoiZGB1WivaJgVK8El9Vv1DeS4dCWcW1qrm8y3U0Bc/s1600/Jamaica+2012+026.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzEvymTTJ9eeHlSG3-3oY4Au9RPCEvFgdoGe0h7KK_wfMlW8bdZXjUUQsTdYEM26EmX2zzfZc5KExaShQ_SuUFXpU3F2boenB1CIoiZGB1WivaJgVK8El9Vv1DeS4dCWcW1qrm8y3U0Bc/s400/Jamaica+2012+026.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><br />And so began a lovely and glorious week for Joel and I.  A week of many firsts, including my first time wearing all dresses on a vacation and actually feeling good about it!  But there was snorkeling, Hobie sailing, and let's not forget the most important event: the marriage!  It was perfect, and I look forward to recapping it here for you to share in the memories with me :).<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmPkQb0XPwBiWr8h9hu-XLJ6QB0DVFycTyXMLSiVgyurZQxpybCMiq18puv_VhZQX5HgiiEJPEN0XoOGdnIX5Msr0CVDyjrOlO2kkSBSqErFAdobKasIL6VWImqu63He4oyVU7DU3ylxo/s1600/night+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmPkQb0XPwBiWr8h9hu-XLJ6QB0DVFycTyXMLSiVgyurZQxpybCMiq18puv_VhZQX5HgiiEJPEN0XoOGdnIX5Msr0CVDyjrOlO2kkSBSqErFAdobKasIL6VWImqu63He4oyVU7DU3ylxo/s400/night+1.jpg" width="277" /></a></div><br />And after a very long day, our first night in Jamaica ended like this - with a breathtaking sunset over clear blue waters.  I feel so incredibly blessed to have experienced this amazing part of God's creation.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCgspRdX7D4fWrJFIl6PpOEViMeyaGWEKrorziH0lOWyAhEzGiPvzMay5Pi73rAL4sCAxshC7zqMflgZKtIgVeBN5tgBomRfgKXYWbiB-7ISz5KxJl_u1GAHBMWMGIRSv6sTMKckj05gE/s1600/sunset+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="221" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCgspRdX7D4fWrJFIl6PpOEViMeyaGWEKrorziH0lOWyAhEzGiPvzMay5Pi73rAL4sCAxshC7zqMflgZKtIgVeBN5tgBomRfgKXYWbiB-7ISz5KxJl_u1GAHBMWMGIRSv6sTMKckj05gE/s400/sunset+1.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><br />I will leave you with this sneak peek... ;)<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLwlhlxDoshSIeW4WvZaHM7j2LqTMGpzRyv7gArthod2OpAZ9vCk_VRiXcNfdKUpfpdjE96ElZk6w4Q5J_wbPKl8mrAFIhK3vargiz-LfPQzrymzBCRbG1iKJ2rL_SPs-5T5LXCFCypLk/s1600/052_52+%282%29.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLwlhlxDoshSIeW4WvZaHM7j2LqTMGpzRyv7gArthod2OpAZ9vCk_VRiXcNfdKUpfpdjE96ElZk6w4Q5J_wbPKl8mrAFIhK3vargiz-LfPQzrymzBCRbG1iKJ2rL_SPs-5T5LXCFCypLk/s400/052_52+%282%29.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><br /><br />

I'm back mon, and I'm now a Mrs! On Thursday, June 7, Joel and I left our condo in the wee hours of the morning to make the hour dri...

Songwriter Jack Lawrence: What Will I Tell My Heart?

6:00 AM Tukiyooo 0

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQrCBFKDp-zJnLDtbXM7zXrPxEo4BwNCwxTTbfQtvUx66Z9-lhsW1X5Lj_kOo-BfPZ2qREQ0PPUDqWiM3vdiQiu8iKMurIAca637mfPmECkB_LqR3NDJ8nVaVngFseaJuDsjLEkt1mk7DE/s1600/singers.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="311" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQrCBFKDp-zJnLDtbXM7zXrPxEo4BwNCwxTTbfQtvUx66Z9-lhsW1X5Lj_kOo-BfPZ2qREQ0PPUDqWiM3vdiQiu8iKMurIAca637mfPmECkB_LqR3NDJ8nVaVngFseaJuDsjLEkt1mk7DE/s400/singers.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Garbo Laughs</span><i><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"> is co-hosting the second annual </span></i><i style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Queer Film Blogathon</i><i><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"> starting today and running through June 22. This post, a snapshot of the life and career of composer/lyricist Jack Lawrence, is my contribution to the event. <a href="http://garbolaughs.wordpress.com/2012/06/18/2012-queer-film-blogathon/" style="color: #cc0000;">Click here</a> for a link to more information and participating blogs.</span></i><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;">~</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJbtBVORGD9A-vb0-OJxPtzFARKDRpJ_gLq0Y20kSTgR6ImpKAGQ5-UIrWHkrsvL_Phw6a4DyS8eN4waPOn1wCwJnBh0AAmaygEhicGZvwPExxFwsx3jbh67HMZOgESrNKpxg1ETsIqvw0/s1600/jack-lawrence-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJbtBVORGD9A-vb0-OJxPtzFARKDRpJ_gLq0Y20kSTgR6ImpKAGQ5-UIrWHkrsvL_Phw6a4DyS8eN4waPOn1wCwJnBh0AAmaygEhicGZvwPExxFwsx3jbh67HMZOgESrNKpxg1ETsIqvw0/s1600/jack-lawrence-1.jpg" /></a></td></tr><tr style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Jack Lawrence, songwriter</td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Oscar-nominated songwriter Jack Lawrence was born in Brooklyn, New York, on April 7, 1912, and gained acclaim as a tunesmith during the halcyon days of "Tin Pan Alley" via the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hit_parade" style="color: #cc0000;">hit parade</a></span> <span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">of the 1930s, '40s and '50s. His songs include signature hits for some of the most popular singers of the 20th century, and many of his tunes made their way onto the silver (and Technicolor) screen. He was inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame in 1975.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">I discovered Jack Lawrence through the Preston Sturges comedy, <i>The Lady Eve</i>. The film's main theme is the song "With the Wind and the Rain in Your Hair," a lyrical and wistful melody that lingers long after the final credits. In my quest to know more about the music, I came upon Jack Lawrence's website. There I found <a href="http://www.jacklawrencesongwriter.com/songs/with_the_wind_and_the_rain.html" style="color: #cc0000;">the story behind the song</a> that was a big hit for Stan Kenton in 1940 and was covered by many others including Kay Kyser's orchestra with vocalist Ginny Simms.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /><a name='more'></a></div><iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/1T53iV8HKXQ" width="560"></iframe> <br /><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">"With the Wind and the Rain in Your Hair" can be heard all through </span><span style="font-size: x-small;"><i style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">The Lady Eve</i><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"> - right up to the last scene</span></span></div><br /><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Jack Lawrence's first published song, co-written at age 19 with his neighborhood friend and first writing partner Arthur Altman, became a number one hit and made a star of Emery Deutsch, "The Gypsy Violinist" who recorded it (and assumed songwriting credit for it). The tune, "Play, Fiddle, Play," was also used in MGM's star-studded classic <i>Dinner at Eight </i>(1933).</span></span><i style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br /></i></span><br /><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIKk2t5yxLnv8hSaVdSGy3QpPbv9hUEjWvrCuPJ18k6h9PfhW4lefV4AGIm09NF2VUpfG1ppdm28CZLkTGiVJug54IRCZSUzNvGr_77VVKewnS45Rs3gEbaJqxUYlX0VIVtg2ybPUN0gLV/s1600/Dinner-at-Eight.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIKk2t5yxLnv8hSaVdSGy3QpPbv9hUEjWvrCuPJ18k6h9PfhW4lefV4AGIm09NF2VUpfG1ppdm28CZLkTGiVJug54IRCZSUzNvGr_77VVKewnS45Rs3gEbaJqxUYlX0VIVtg2ybPUN0gLV/s400/Dinner-at-Eight.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Jean Harlow and Marie Dressler in <i>Dinner at Eight</i></td></tr></tbody></table></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Lawrence collaborated with Altman again in 1939, providing the words to Altman's music for a song that was recorded by three major big bands - Jimmy Dorsey, Harry James and Freddy Martin, but none of the records created a ripple. Then, in 1943, Columbia Records signed Frank Sinatra as a solo artist but was prevented by a musicians' strike from quickly getting him into the recording studio. It was decided to re-release the song Harry James had recorded with Sinatra as vocalist three years earlier, Lawrence and Altman's "All or Nothing at All." This time the record was a smash and the first hit of Frank Sinatra's solo career. There had been only one change made and that was to the record label. This time "Frank Sinatra" appeared in large letters above "accompanied by Harry James Orchestra" in small print. One of his early signature tunes, "All or Nothing at All" remained in Sinatra's repertoire for the rest of his career.</span></span></span></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br /><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">In 1939 Jack Lawrence composed a song on his own that became a hit in much less time than it took "All or Nothing at All." His "If I Didn't Care" was a sensation that made stars of <a href="http://www.vocalgroup.org/inductees/ink_spots.html" style="color: #cc0000;">The Ink Spots</a>, an African American vocal group that, like The Mills Brothers, achieved enormous mainstream popularity.</span></span></span><br /><br /><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcgKBdNEn9LhYP3XwwWy1aJ18rMvDTxEhFPCCN3gX_bCU2_yXJLQsBPWWbVQQ0C9KodnnqLYgbV9uyni3iLQXi6ZZaRvcUe0bYhZhF7_9e6ncDTp0SyL6AWAejUqxE3QHka0Olm4Kdq3DU/s1600/Paul+&+Linda+McCartney.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcgKBdNEn9LhYP3XwwWy1aJ18rMvDTxEhFPCCN3gX_bCU2_yXJLQsBPWWbVQQ0C9KodnnqLYgbV9uyni3iLQXi6ZZaRvcUe0bYhZhF7_9e6ncDTp0SyL6AWAejUqxE3QHka0Olm4Kdq3DU/s1600/Paul+&+Linda+McCartney.jpg" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Paul and Linda McCartney</td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">In 1942, at the request of his attorney, legendary entertainment lawyer Lee Eastman, Lawrence wrote a song for Eastman's one-year-old daughter. Though the song, "Linda," wasn't published until after World War II, a 1946 recording by Ray Noble with vocalist Buddy Clark made its way up the <i>Billboard </i>charts and into the top position by early 1947. Little Linda Eastman grew up to become a respected photographer. Her photo of Eric Clapton was featured on the cover of <i>Rolling Stone </i>in 1968, making her the first woman photographer to have her work appear on the front of the magazine. She later married Beatle Paul McCartney and their daughter, Stella, is a very successful fashion designer. "Linda" has been recorded by many since 1946 - from Frank Sinatra and Bing Crosby to Willie Nelson, to name just a few. Paul McCartney played a recording of his own rendition of the song at the close of his memorial service for Linda in 1999, a ceremony to which he thoughtfully invited Jack Lawrence.</span></span></span><br /><br /><iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/UCg0wtNsbwo" width="560"></iframe> <div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Joan Crawford in <i>Torch Song</i></span></span></div><br />Around the same time "Linda" was published, Lawrence collaborated with composer Walter Gross, who had written music for a song that, with Lawrence's lyrics, came to be known as "Tenderly." Sarah Vaughan's version became a jazz standard and Rosemary Clooney's rendition became a mainstream hit as well as the theme for her TV variety show of the 1950s.  "Tenderly" was featured in the 1953 Joan Crawford vehicle, <i>Torch Song</i>, with Crawford's singing dubbed by <a href="http://www.indiaadams.com/" style="color: #cc0000;">India Adams</a>.<br /><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/JaBBZiTFYQ4" width="420"></iframe></div><div style="text-align: center;"> <span style="font-size: x-small;">Rosemary Clooney sings "Tenderly"</span></div><br />In 2004 at age 92, Jack Lawrence wrote his autobiography, <a href="http://www.amazon.com/They-All-Sang-My-Songs/dp/1569802793" style="color: #cc0000;"><u>They All Sang My Songs</u></a>. Jack's book tells the story of his early years in Brooklyn, his rise as a songwriter during the heyday of American popular music - along with the stories behind many of the hit songs he wrote or collaborated on. And more. At the outset of the book's 5th chapter he opens up on the most intimate aspect of his life, his sexuality. Quoting his lyrics to a hit song, Lawrence begins the chapter with:<br /><br />"It's easy to lie to strangers...<br /> But what will I tell my heart?"<br /><br />In 1925, when he was just 13, he began to realize he was strongly attracted to boys. Raised in an Orthodox Jewish home by immigrant parents and with two older brothers who were well known as ladies men, Lawrence felt increasingly frightened and isolated as his feelings emerged. He began to lead a double life, attending local dances and dating girls, trying to be "one of the guys." But he also escaped into a secret world, a world in which reading Radclyffe Hall's 1928 lesbian novel, <u>The Well of Loneliness</u>, brought him to tears. Describing his long struggle to overcome despair and shame, Lawrence recalls his coming out as a slow and painful process.<br /><br /><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzPs2z2WvtlIfFCtdSd5uaPYY_2ggS2UuIu6N-MKm1Md0qfz-Eia4vyoD9EmGetIIOa0yOvMQ8j-z4owptfI4hdGVxWNGT2Chds-hssD0QyozGjf_b-2qr3ztzQQMX-ltRnMj7-h7s5OxE/s1600/Harlem+Renaissance+as+gay+as+it+was+black.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="211" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzPs2z2WvtlIfFCtdSd5uaPYY_2ggS2UuIu6N-MKm1Md0qfz-Eia4vyoD9EmGetIIOa0yOvMQ8j-z4owptfI4hdGVxWNGT2Chds-hssD0QyozGjf_b-2qr3ztzQQMX-ltRnMj7-h7s5OxE/s320/Harlem+Renaissance+as+gay+as+it+was+black.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Harlem nights</td></tr></tbody></table>Jack Lawrence's first experience of a gay social scene came a few years later through another, slightly older, young man - in Harlem. His friend took him to "rent parties," racially mixed get-togethers held in apartments rented for the weekend where the price of admission covered a drink or two and the chance to dance with other gay men as records spun on a turntable. Though Lawrence later learned that there had been gay bars to be found in New York's out-of-the-way nooks and crannies all along, he thoroughly enjoyed the wide open world he experienced in Harlem, then in the midst of its celebrated "renaissance." In addition to exploring the gay scene, he discovered the Apollo Theater and its legendary amateur nights (where the careers of Ella Fitzgerald and others were launched) and small clubs where the likes of Billie Holiday performed.<br /><br />After years of living in two worlds and near-marriage to a woman with whom he was passionately involved but not in love, Lawrence eventually encountered the man who would be the love of his life. He met Walter Myden, later a psychiatrist, in the mid-'40s and the two would spend the next 30 years living together - until Myden's death in 1975. Lawrence went on to meet another man with whom he shared a more platonic relationship up until his own death in 2009 at age 96.<br /><br />Jack Lawrence lived long enough to rest assured that the best songs of the popular standards era had endured the passage of time. He was especially pleased when Tony Bennett and k.d. lang recorded "A Wonderful World," an homage to Louis Armstrong, and thought Diana Krall's interpretation of his own "All or Nothing at All" a "lovely rendition."  Lawrence also lived long enough to see the opening of the closet door, the rise of activism and the emergence of a vibrant gay community. Looking back, Lawrence viewed it all as remarkable. Content with his life at last, he chose a classic Ira Gershwin lyric to close his memoir:<br /><br />"Who could ask for anything more?"<br /><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSIGYiHlHg8hbpPEydtrmFWBakhtx7kvvXYp4_e5JB7ChsWYMIef8Oh4UIio4CXHXy0z56LQ7oGxLSZTW5oMIfUwcpdzVjBv4KGwTv2hbeEHsLsQAyG3dwvU_6D-279EgH43CVHflQ2ZpQ/s1600/Portrait+of+Jack.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSIGYiHlHg8hbpPEydtrmFWBakhtx7kvvXYp4_e5JB7ChsWYMIef8Oh4UIio4CXHXy0z56LQ7oGxLSZTW5oMIfUwcpdzVjBv4KGwTv2hbeEHsLsQAyG3dwvU_6D-279EgH43CVHflQ2ZpQ/s1600/Portrait+of+Jack.jpg" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Jack Lawrence</td></tr></tbody></table><div style="text-align: center;">~</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">To learn more about Jack Lawrence via his website, <a href="http://www.jacklawrencesongwriter.com/mybio.html" style="color: #cc0000;">click here</a>. To read a 2004 <i>Time Out New York</i> interview with him, <a href="http://www.timeout.com/newyork/books/dont-know-jack" style="color: #cc0000;">click here</a>.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div style="text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQSp0xPJLpithup5MpsWyqWmrlu3NryS7lR4VdVLVABjkF6MW0QY01Zn94FYQV-3Qdf0Pka2aBMg7pTjEz5yMg0KhU0nEqeD6Fz1n8x2NpaoCclHylz7eSNzfDgyCKf3OO-7fUecgRKcir/s1600/Posters+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="261" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQSp0xPJLpithup5MpsWyqWmrlu3NryS7lR4VdVLVABjkF6MW0QY01Zn94FYQV-3Qdf0Pka2aBMg7pTjEz5yMg0KhU0nEqeD6Fz1n8x2NpaoCclHylz7eSNzfDgyCKf3OO-7fUecgRKcir/s400/Posters+2.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /></div><br /><br /></div>

Songwriter Jack Lawrence: What Will I Tell My Heart?

Dinner at Eight Frank Sinatra Jack Lawrence Joan Crawford Linda McCartney Rosemary Clooney Sarah Vaughan The Ink Spots The Lady Eve (author) Songwriter Jack Lawrence: What Will I Tell My Heart?

Garbo Laughs is co-hosting the second annual Queer Film Blogathon starting today and running through June 22. This post, a snapshot of the...

Microsoft webinar (for SA teachers) on assessing collaboration and 21st century skills

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<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><br /><i><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Submitted by Fiona Beal</span></span></span></i><b><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: large;"> </span></b><br /><b><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: large;">Innovative Teaching and Learning Webinars </span></b><br /><br /><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Microsoft has embarked on an 'Innovative Teaching and Learning' (ITL) research programme.</span><span style="font-size: small;"> They will be hosting workshops and webinars on LEAP21. The first webinar on <b>18 July from 6pm - 6:30pm</b> will focus on the first of the five dimensions 21st century learning (collaboration).This discussion Forum will allow all participants of LEAP21 training to connect and discuss the topic.</span></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSQrrQjR2J1xyKVyW4Fp5GGG6Gy9Rls6eFsn8JZFiXDNSudLd7pqwFmcP3KAlxdCdooVR3eEiY951O8MyXZu_OqVcmWYxj2FozuEZ10z10qEIycdUOYUT_gGKKrF6_c8cMXq-w7yxoylE/s1600/PIL2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="195" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSQrrQjR2J1xyKVyW4Fp5GGG6Gy9Rls6eFsn8JZFiXDNSudLd7pqwFmcP3KAlxdCdooVR3eEiY951O8MyXZu_OqVcmWYxj2FozuEZ10z10qEIycdUOYUT_gGKKrF6_c8cMXq-w7yxoylE/s400/PIL2.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><br /><br /><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">View the </span><a href="http://www.pil-network.com/auth/signin?returnUrl=%2FDiscussion%2Fccc93868-82a8-4c32-98a3-a8afb555a34b" style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;" target="_blank">discussion forum</a><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"> on the Partners in Learning Network for details on joining the webinar.</span><br /><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><a href="http://www.pil-network.com/auth/signin?returnUrl=%2fDiscussion%2fccc93868-82a8-4c32-98a3-a8afb555a34b"> </a></div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Note that if you haven't listened to a webinar before using Lync you will need to download Lync attendee. In the discussion forum referred to above you will find a PDF with detailed instructions on how to join a Lync webinar</div><br /><div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><b><span style="font-size: large;">More about</span><span style="font-size: large;"> this upcoming webinar</span></b></div><div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br /></div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">This discussion will focus on innovative teaching and learning approaches and how the LEAP21 material supports this.</span></div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br /></div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">LEAP21 is based on the way ITL Research studies and measures innovative teaching practices. LEAP21 asks teachers and school leaders to analyse and 'score' learning activities to see how deeply they integrate 21st century skills, collaborate in designing new learning activities that provide deeper 21st century skills development, examine the impact of these learning activities on students' work, and use ICT as part of the process.</span></div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br /></div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Teachers who go through this process say it gives them a clear and practical way to integrate 21st century skills in their own teaching. LEAP21 requires that educators be active and engaged knowledge-builders, adopting and using the very skills they are seeking to instill in their students: collaboration, knowledge-building, self-regulation and assessment (or learning to learn) and use of technology for learning. Through the programme, teachers become learners of their own teaching practices by studying the impact of their teaching on students LEAP21 guidelines help teacherss identify and understand the opportunities that learning activities give students to build 21st century skills. </span></div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br /></div><b><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: large;">What to do to join this discussion</span></b><br /><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br /></div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Angela Scheaerer, Microsoft's APM from South Africa, says about the first webinar on 18 July: "We are looking forward to hosting the first LEAP21 webinar on Wednesday 18 July. Here's how it will work: <br />1. Download the lesson plans and rubrics so that you have these available during the webinar - it will be an interactive session with activities using these resources. <br />2. Follow the the directions in the document "How to join a Lync conference call". We recommend you do this ahead of time as you need to download and install an attendee client the first time you join. <br />3. Click on the link  called Join the online meeting in "related content" above or from the Word document. Try and join a few minutes early in case you have any problems. </div></div>

Microsoft webinars Microsoft webinar (for SA teachers) on assessing collaboration and 21st century skills

Submitted by Fiona Beal Innovative Teaching and Learning Webinars Microsoft has embarked on an 'Innovative Teaching and Learning' (...

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Songwriter Jack Lawrence: What Will I Tell My Heart?

Microsoft webinar (for SA teachers) on assessing collaboration and 21st century skills

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